Circuit breaker



p 1938. H. 1.. LAMBERT 2,130,350

CIRCUIT BREAKER Filed Nov. 4, 1936 2 sneets -Shect l i fi 54 h 0 WvE/v ro/e %Z%@ rim H. L. LAMBERT CIRCUIT BREAKER Sept. 20, 1938.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 4, 1936 Z a a Z AA l 7 M .4 J |I I & E (J/ F \4 wilw a M 6 7 fl I IN VEN TOR.

A TTO/Q/YEY.

Patented Sept. 20, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CIRCUIT BREAKER Ithaca, N. Y.

Application November 4, 1936, Serial No. 109,138

19 Claims.

This invention relates to circuit breakers, and more particularly to those which are operated by centrifugal forces in order to regulate or govern, for example, the speed of a motor and thus prevent the motor from exceeding a predetermined speed. Such circuit breakers or speed governors are particularly useful in the operation of various calculating mechanisms where the operation is intermittent. In such machines a very rapid operation of the machine by the motor is desired, but if the speed is too rapid the mechanism may fail to function properly. Because of the different types of current and different voltages encountered in different cities, the speed of the motor i5 is also likely to vary at intervals unless some regulation of the speed is provided. This improved circuit breaker is in the nature of an improvement upon the device disclosed in the prior copending application of Jerome A. Fried, for Gov- 20 emors', Ser. No. 48,890, filed November 8, 1935.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved circuit breaker or governor for a high speed electric motor, which will successfully and accurately control the speed of said motor, even 25 when the governor is driven from a relatively low speed shaft, with which a freer movement of centrifugal weights will be obtained, with which the mounting of the weights and their confinement in proper positions will be improved, with 30 which any binding upon the weights will be prevented, and with which the construction will be simplified and the cost thereof reduced.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved device for governing the speed of an electric motor by the separation of a pair of contacts included in series in the circuit of the motor, with which arcing between the contacts on different types of current will be minimized, which will operate successfully on both A. C. and 40 D. C. current for long periods without destruction of the contacts, which will be dependable and effective in interrupting the circuit of the motor whenever necessary to control the speed of the motor and without dangerous arcing between the contacts, with which improved means for keeping the contacts clean and smooth will be provided, and which will be relatively simple, compact and inexpensive.

50 Another object of the invention is to provide a circuit breaker having improved and easily accessible contact means and improved operation thereof by centrifugal forces, which willbe sensitive and quickly responsive to variations in 55- speed, with which the contacts will be cleaned automatically during use, and which will be relatively simple, compact and inexpensive.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description of an embodiment of the invention, and the novel features will 5 be particularly pointed out in connection with the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is an elevation of a motor having a governor constructed in accordance with this inven- 10 tion, and as applied to the operation of calculating mechanism at intermittent intervals;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof;

Fig. 3 is a transverse, sectional elevation of the governor, the section being taken approximately along the line 33 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is another transverse, sectional elevation through the governor, the section being taken approximately along the line 4-4 of Fig. 2, but with the protecting cap for the contact mechanism removed;

Fig. 5 is a transverse, sectional elevation through the governor, the section being taken just in front of the governor weights, the pressure ring or disk which is operated by the weights being partially broken away to show the construction and mounting of the weights;

Fig. 6 is a sectional plan through the governor, the section being taken approximately through the central axis thereof;

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal, sectional elevation through the governor, the section being taken approximately through the central axis thereof;

Fig. 8 is a transverse, sectional elevation through the governor, the section being taken approximately along the line 88 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal, sectional elevation through a portion of the governor, the section being similar to that shown in Fig. 7 except that the sectional plane is angularly displaced about the axis of rotation slightly from that of Fig. 7;

Fig. 10 is a perspective of one of the centrifugal weights;

Fig. 11 is a sectional plan of a portion of a governor, similar to the plan of Fig. 6 but illustrated on a larger scale to show the sliding and rocking mounting of the pins and the engagement of the pins in the eccentric cam groove in the pressure ring or disk;

Fig. 12 is a sectional elevation through the rotating element having the annular chamber, the section being taken between the weight retaining tongues;

Fig. 13 is a sectional elevation illustrating details of mounting of a conductor strip;

Cir

Fig. 14 is a sectional elevation through a portion of the governor and illustrating on a larger scale, the details by which the weights are held against displacement, even when the governor is operated in an inverted position; and

Fig. 15 is another sectional elevation similar to Fig. 14 except that the section is taken a short distance away from that of Fig. 14.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the improved governor is applied to the control of a high speed electric motor II] of a type used extensively for the operation of calculating machines, particularly adding machines, where the motor is given successive intermittent operations of a definite cycle in order to drive the running in or operating mechanism of the adding or calculating mechanism. Such a motor replaces the usual hand crank which operates. similar mechanism in a similar type of calculating mechanism. It will be understood, however, that the governor or circuit breaker is of general application and may be used for controlling motors or for various other purposes, where similar problems are encountered. The electric motor I may be of any suitable size and type, and when applied to an adding machine it usually drives the running in or operating mechanism through the medium of a clutch mechanism that disconnects the motor and deenergizes it automatically after a predetermined cycle of operation.

A hollow annular shell or casing l9, Figs. to 9, and 12, abuts endwise against the forward face of the gear l4, and is secured thereto for rotation therewith in any suitable manner such as by rivets 28, Fig. 12. The shell I9 is disposed on the gear I l concentrically of the shaft I5, its end which abuts against the gear I4 being closed, and the opposite end of the annular shell being open. The chamber 2| in the annular shell I9 is annular in shape and concentric with the shaft I5 and its axis of rotation, and serves as a chamber for a plurality of centrifugal weights 22. These weights are spaced from one another in a direction circumferentially of the chamber 2!, and are held against movement around the chamber by a tongue and slot connection to the wall of the chamber. For example, each weight 22 at the end adjacent the closed end of the chamber 29 is provided with a slot 23 which extends preferably from face to face and for a substantial distance in a direction endwise of the weights, as shown clearly in Fig. 10.

The wall of the chamber 2| is provided with tongues or partitions 23, Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 9, which project from the wall at the closed end of the chamber towards the open end of the chamber and into the slots 23 of the centrifugal weights. The tongues 24 are disposed angularly about the axis of rotation of the shell in the chamber, at the spaces desired for the weights, and each tongue extends loosely into the slot 23 of one of the weights, so that the tongue by its loose engagement in the slot 23 of the weight will prevent displacement of that weight circumferentially around the chamber 2|, and will guide the weight without binding for swinging movement in a direction radially of the axis of rotation, while keeping the weight from getting crosswise of the pocket or out of its intended position.

Each weight 22 is preferably free or loose in said chamber except as confined by a tongue 24, and is provided at the inner or closed end of the chamber 2i with an outwardly extending heel il -la which engages against the outer wall of the annular chamber 2| and acts as a fulcrum about which the remainder of the weight swings in a direction radially with respect to the shaft, which radial swinging movement is permitted by the engagement of a tongue 24 in the slot 23 of that weight. The heel 24a of each weight engages with the outer wall of the chamber 2| preferably only adjacent the slot 23, so as to have a minimum area of contact with the wall of the chamber 2|.

Each weight 22, except at the heel 24a, is of materially less thickness than the depth of the annular chamber 2|, so that when the weights are rotated with the shell I9, centrifugal forces will cause the free or swinging ends of the weights 22 to move outwardly and radially with respect to the axis of rotation of the shell, in the annular chamber 2|. The weights must necessarily rotate with the shell l9 because of the engagement of the tongues 2G in the slots 23 of the weights. An annular pressure ring or disk 25 is disposed in the open end of the annular chamber 2|, so as to move therein in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the shell, and when moved inwardly in the chamber 2| it takes a position in which it may be engaged and operated backwardly by the outwardly swinging ends of the weights 22.

The inner face of each weight 22 at its free or swinging end, that is, the end opposite the fulcrum heel 2G, is preferably provided with small projections 2211, which may be either cast or formed subsequently such as by upsetting with a prick punch, and which engage with the inner wall of the chamber 2| and provide substantially point contacts between the free or swinging ends of the weights and the inner wall of the chamber 2i. This prevents any tendency of the weights to stick by capillary attraction to the inner wall of the chamber 2!, such as may interfere with the tendency of the weights to move outwardly under centrifugal force.

It is desirable, particularly when the circuit breaker is operated in an inverted position, to positively confine the weights 22 against displacement in the annular chamber 2|. To this end, each partition or wall 24 in the chamber 2| of shell i9, is preferably provided with .an L- shaped slot 15, Figs. 14 and 15, the leg of which is approximately parallel to the shaft I5, and the end arm of which extends in a direction outwardly from shaft I5 immediately in front of and close to the heels. 24a of the weights 22. A split circular retaining spring I6 is passed through the leg of slot 15, after the weights 22 are in position in shell l9, and released when the end arm of the slot 75 is reached. The spring 76 then expands in diameter, by reason of its resiliency, into the end arm of the slot "I5 in front of the heels 24a and locks the weights in position in shell i9, yet allowing the weights to swing about their heels without material opposition from the spring.

In order to reduce the friction between the outwardly swinging ends of the weights 22 and the ring or pressure disk 25, I preferably provide ball bearings between the weights and the ring which will now be described. The swinging end of each weight, which is the end nearest the ring 25, is provided with a slot or notch 26 extending from face to face thereof. The bottom wall of each slot is inclined to the axis of the shaft I5 and facing outwardly. A bearing ball 2! is disposed in each slot 26, so as to roll along the inclined bottom thereof. The side walls of each slot or notch 26, at the outer end thereof, are upset slightly, as at 28, into the end of the slot so as to prevent escape of the ball through that restricted end of the slot.

The weights may conveniently be die castings, and the upset projections 22a and 28 may be cast directly on the weights, or the projections may be produced by upsetting the metal, such as with a prick punch. The outer peripheral edge of the ring is also provided with a lateral flange 29 which somewhat overhangs the swinging or outer ends of the weights and opposes the escape of the balls 21 in an outward and radial direction as well as in a direction parallel to the shaft IS.

The inclined bottom walls of the slots 26, with which the bearing balls 21 engage, will act as inclined cam surfaces, and whenever the slotted ends of the weights are swung outwardly about their heels 24a due to centrifugal action, the inclined bottoms of the slots in the Weights will cam the balls 21 in a direction endwise along the shaft I5 thus forcing the ring 25 in a direction outwardly and endwise of the annular chamber 2|.

A casing 38 is secured across the open face of the housing II from which the shaft l5 extends and is secured to the casing H in any suitable manner such as by screws 3 I, Figs. 5 and 7, which pass through a flange of the casing 38, telescoping somewhat over the shell I9 and within the housing I l which encloses it. The casing 30 is generally annular and cup shaped, with its open face toward the shell or housing II, and is provided with a tubular boss or sleeve 32, projecting from the bottom wall of the casing 30 toward the open face thereof and telescoping within the annular shell I9 and around the shaft l5. This boss 32 preferably carries an oilless bearing sleeve 33, such as of porous bronze, which provides a bearing for the adjacent end of the shaft l5.

A plate 34 of insulating material is connected to the outer face of the bottom wall of the cup shaped shell 38 in any suitable manner such as by screws 35 and studs 36, Figs. 3, 4 and '7. Each screw 35 passes through an insulating washer 31 and through an aperture in the plate 34, and is threaded into the bottom wall of the cup shaped shell 39. Each washer 31 is of substantial thickness and at its under face is reduced in diameter to form a sleeve or collar which passes through an aperture in a metal conductor strip or plate 38. The plate 38 is disposed between the washers 31 and the insulating plate 34 so as to abut 5' the plate 34. The screws 35 when tightened act through the washers 31 to clamp the conductor strip 38 fiat against the insulating plate 34, and the washers 31 and plate 34 insulate the conductor strip 38 from the cup shaped shell 30.

Each stud 36 has a reduced, threaded end 48, Fig. 13, which passes through an aperture in a 'pair of superposed washers 4| and 42 of insulating material, thence through an aperture in the insulating plate 34, and then is threaded into the bottom of the cup shaped shell 38 for support therefrom. One of the washers of insulating material of each pair, such as the washer 42 has an end portion of reduced diameter forming a projecting sleeve on the face abutting the other washer such as 4|, over which sleeve is fitted an aperture in the conductor strip 39. The conductor strip 39 is thus supported by, yet insulated from, the stud 36. The washer 42 serves to space the conductor strip 39 from the outer face of the plate 31 of insulating material for a purpose which will appear presently.

The outer ends of the studs 36 are provided with threaded ends of reduced diameter which pass through apertures in a protecting cap 43, Figs. 1, 2 and 7, and carry nuts 44 which serve to clamp the cap 43 firmly upon the projecting ends of the studs 36. While the cap or shell 43 may be formed of any suitable material, either of metal or other material, it is conveniently and preferably formed of molded material such as Bakelite or other synthetic moldable resins, or compositions containing the same.

The bottom wall of the cup shaped shell 30 is provided at opposite sides of or symmetrically about the shaft |5 with bosses 45, Figs. 3, 4, 6 and 11. Each boss 45 has a passage 46 therethrough from face to face which slidably and rockably supports a pin 41. The plate 34 of insulating material is provided with apertures 48 through which the bosses 45 project. Two of such bosses 45 are illustrated and each passage 46 holds a pin 41. The inner end of at least one of the pins 41 bears in a groove 49, Figs. 8 and 11, on the pressure ring 25. The groove 49 is a circular groove disposed slightly eccentric of the shaft l5 as shown in Fig. 8, and is a cam or cam surface for rocking the pins 41. The pins 41 project outwardly from the bosses 45 and each pin carries a collar 50 spaced some distance from its free or outer end.

A bridge plate 5| of insulating material, Figs. 3, 6, 7 and 11, extends between the pins 41 and is provided with apertures 52 which fit loosely over the outer ends of the pins 41 and against the shoulders 58 thereof. The apertures 52 are somewhat larger than the outer ends of the pins 41 so that the pins can rock laterally to some extent therein. The distance between the apertures 52 of the bridge plate 5| is approximately equal to the distance between the pins 41 when the pins are parallel to one another.

The pressure ring 25 rotates with the annular shell l9, yet it is free to move endwise along the shell I9. To accomplish this, one or more notches or slots 53, Figs. 6 and 8, may be provided in the outer end of the inner wall forming the annular chamber 2|, and a tongue 54 extends from the inner periphery of the pressure ring 25 into each notch or slot 53. notches 53 are provided in the illustrated example of the invention, and each of the tongues 54 acts as a key operating in a key slot 53 to insure rotation of the pressure ring 25 with the annular shell |9 while permitting movement of the pressure ring 25 parallel to the shaft I5 or into and out of the annular chamber 2| to different extents, limited by the weights 22 while in rest positions. Thus as the pressure ring 25 rotates, the circular but eccentric groove 49 causes the pins 41 to rock laterally, or from side to side, and this lateral movement will be transmitted to the bridge plate 5| and the latter will thus have a back and forth or somewhat elliptical movement in a plane approximately parallel to its face.

A coil, compression spring 55, Figs. 3, 6 and '7, abuts against the outer face of the bridge plate 5| and by pressure on the bridge plate forces it against the collars 50 of the pins 41. Preferably the spring 55 is a conical, spiral spring having its successive convolutions becoming of smaller diameter progressively as it moves away from the plate 5|, and the outer or vertex end of this spring extends approximately to the axis of the Two of such tongues 54 and spring and is there bent outwardly along the axis so as to enter a recess provided in the end of a screw 56 which is threaded through the protecting cap 43. The spring is compressed between the screw 53 and the bridge plate 5!, and thus urges the latter against the collars 50 of the pins 47. By turning the screw 56 so as to thread it to different extents through the protecting cap 43 the pressure on the spring 55, and therefore the pressure on the pinsd'l, may be varied within limits. A look nut 5'! on the screw 55 serves to hold the latter in adjusted positions.

The spring 5 is concentric with the screw 55 and with the shaft 55, rests upon the middle or central zone of the bridge plate 5!, and consequently exerts an approximately equal pressure on both or" the pins 5?. The conductor strip 33 has an arm 58 which extends into a position in which its free end is in approximate alignment with the shaft l5 and beneath the bridge plate 5!. On the face towards the bridge plate 5!, arm 58 is provided with a contact 59. Another contact 6!? is provided on a disk 5 I, and the latter is riveted or otherwise secured to the bridge plate 5i on the face thereof towards the contact 59, with the contact Bil aligned with and normally abutting against the contact 59. A flexible wire 52 and screw 53 connect the disc 5! to the conductor strip 39. A nut 6 for the screw 63 is disposed between the conductor strip 39 and the insulating plate 34, so that by tightening the screw 35, an end of the wire 62 is clamped firmly and electrically to the conductor strip 39.

The wire 52 is slack, and therefore as the bridge plate 55 moves toward and from the insulating plate 34, and carries its contact 60 into and out of engagement with the contact 59, the wire 62 will flex and permit of this movement and provide a continuous electrical connection between the conductor strip 39 and the contact She slack in the flexible wire 62 also permits of the lateral or sidewise movement of the bridge plate 5i which is produced by the rocking of the pins "ll by groove 49 upon rotation of the pressure ring 25. It will be noted that both of the contacts 59 and 50 are insulated from the frame of the machine, from the cup shaped shell 30, and from each other, and thus current may be passed through the contacts 59 and 60, when in engagement with one another, through the conductor strips 38 and 39.

While any suitable rocking and sliding mounting may be provided for the pins 57, a very satisfactory and simple mounting is obtained by merely providing an annular bearing rib 65 in each passage 45. The surface of each annular rib 55 is convex in cross section, so that each pin can rock laterally as well as slide endwise for the reasons given above.

In the operation of this improved governor or circuit breaker, current is established from line wires 55 and l! through the connection socket to the plug connectors 68 and 10. The circuit to the motor will normally be closed because the spring 55 urges the bridge plate 5! in a direction to carry its contact 6!] into engagement with the contact 59. At the same time the pins 4'! are pressed into the shell 30 and urge the pressure ring 25 endwise further into the annular chamber 2!. Through the bearing balls 21, this pressure is transferred to the centrifugal weights 22, so as to urge them to swing toward the shaft I5, which allows the pressure ring 25 to move further into the annular chamber 2!. The circuit of the motor being closed at the contacts 59 and the motor starts its operation and drives the worm wheel I4 at a reduced speed.

The shell !9, the centrifugal weights 22 and the annular chamber 2! rotate with the worm wheel [4. The pressure ring 25 also rotates with the shell [9 by reason of the tongues 54 and the slot 53, and during this rotation the eccentric cam groove 49 in which the pins 4'! always run shifts the pins 4'! laterally from side to side and possibly in an elliptical path. The rocking of the pins 4'! shifts the bridge plate 5! sidewise, and thus causes the contact 60 to slide back and forth or in a somewhat elliptical path over the abutting surface of the contact 59. This is a wiping or scrubbing action which keeps the abutting faces of the contacts clean and restricts pitting of the contacts at their abutting faces, such as is due to any tendency of the current to are between the contacts 59 and 69 when they are separated. When the speed of rotation of the motor exceeds a predetermined speed, at which time the speed of rotation of the worm wheel I l will also exceed a predetermined but slower speed, the weights 22 possess suflicient centrifugal force to overcome the action of the spring 55, and swing outwardly about their heels. The inclined cam slots 26 and the bearing balls 21 thereupon force the ring 25 in a direction parallel to shaft !5.

During this movement of the ring 25, the pins i? are forced outwardly while being rocked laterally, and through the collars 55 the pin-s 4'! force the bridge plate 5! against the action of spring in a direction away from the contact 55, so as to separate the contact 65 from the contact 59 and open the circuit of the motor. The motor then begins to lose speed and the centrifugal forces acting on the weights 22 decrease until the spring 55 can again force the pins 41 inwardly, move the pressure ring 25 in the opposite direction in the annular chamber 2!, and cam the centrifugal weights back toward their inner positions. During this movement the bridge plate 5! returns its contact 65 into engagement with the contact 59 to again complete the circuit of the motor. This operation is carried on repeatedly, so that whenever the speed of the motor increases beyond that intended, such as by a higher voltage of the operating current, the circuit and motor will be interrupted intermittently long enough to keep the motor down to the desired, predetermined speed. The maximum speed of the motor may be varied by adjusting the screw 56.

The shell 30 is preferably a die casting, and 1 since the material of such castings usually is relatively soft, I preferably provide the bearing rib 55 for each boss 45 on a sleeve 14, Fig. 11, which is forced into the passage of the boss 45. The sleeve M is of hard material which eifectively resists wear from the sliding and rocking of the pins 4'! over long periods of time.

It will be obvious that various changes inthe details and arrangements of parts, which have been herein described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of the invention, may be made by those skilled in the art within the prin ciple and scope of the invention, as expressed in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a centrifugally operated circuit breaker, the combination of a rotating member, a shell connected to and rotating with said member and having an annular chamber concentric with the axis of rotation of said member, a plurality of weights disposed in said chamber at intervals around said axis, each weight having a heel at one end upon which it rocks to swing its other end outwardly from said axis by centrifugal force, the heel ends of said weights being arranged at the same end of the chamber, each weight and the wall of said chamber having a tongue and slot engagement with one another which prevents displacement of that weight in a direction circumferentially around the chamber, guides it in a direction endwise of the chamber, and pivotally about said heel in said chamber, means engageable by the free ends of said weights during the outward rocking movement of said weights about said heel and moved thereby in a direction endwise of said axis, and contact means operated by said endwise movement of said means.

2. A centrifugally operated circuit breaker comprising a rotating element, a plurality of weights rotating with said element and arranged about the axis of rotation of said element, each of said weights being fulcrumed at one end for swinging movement of its opposite end outwardly from said axis in a direction approximately radial to said axis, a member rotating with said element and disposed adjacent the free swinging ends of said weights and operable by said weights, during their outward swinging movements, in a direction approximately parallel to said axis, a pair of contacts normally and resiliently urged into contact with one another, and one of said contacts being operable into open circuit relation with respect to the other of said contacts, and means operated by said member when the latter is moved in a direction parallel to said axis in one direction, for shifting said one of the contacts into open circuit position, and for producing a relative sliding movement between abutting faces of said contacts during rotation of said element and said member.

3. A centrifugally operated circuit breaker comprising a rotating element, a plurality of weights rotating with said element and arranged about the axis of rotation of said element, each of said weights being fulcrumed at one end for swinging movement of its opposite end outwardly from said axis in a direction approximately radial to said axis, a member rotating with said element and disposed adjacent the free swinging ends of said weights and operable by said weights, during their outward swinging movements, in a direction approximately parallel to said axis, said member having a cam surface on a face thereof and which is concentric to said axis of rotation, a pair of separate, abutting contacts, means yieldingly urging said one of the contacts into engagement with the other contact, means operated by said cam surface during rotation of said member for imparting to one of said contacts repeated movements in a direction approximately parallel to the abutting faces of said contacts, to wipe said contacting faces clean, said last named means being also operable upon movement of said member in a direction parallel to said axis for causing a separation of said contacts.

4. A centrifugally operated circuit breaker comprising a rotating element, a pair of separable contacts, a member rotating with said element and movable in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation thereof, centrifugal means rotating with said element and operable on said member to shift it in a direction parallel to said axis whenever the speed of rotation of said element exceeds a predetermined speed, and means operable by said member during its rotation for producing a sliding movement between the abutting faces of said contacts, and also operable to cause a separation of said contacts when said member is moved in a direction parallel to said axis by reason of the speed exceeding said predetermined speed.

5. A centrifugally operated circuit breaker comprising a rotating element, a pair of separable contacts, a member rotating with said element and movable in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation thereof, centrifugal means rotating with said element and operable on said member to shift it in a direction parallel to said axis Whenever the speed of rotation of said element exceeds a predetermined speed, resilient means bearing against said member and opposing movement of the latter by said centrifugal means, one of said contacts being carried by said means and shiftable thereby in opposition to said centrifugal means into engagement with the other of said contacts, said member through its contact with said resilient means being operable during rotation of said member to cause repeated lateral wiping movements of one of said contacts across the face of the other contact, and also operable upon said resilient means when actauted by said centrifugal means to shift said one contact on said means out of engagement with the other of said contacts.

6. A centrifugally operated circuit breaker comprising a rotating element, a pair of separable contacts, a member rotatingwith said element and movable in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation thereof, centrifugal means rotating with said element and operable on said member to shift it in a direction parallel to said axis whenever the speed of rotation of said element exceeds a predetermined speed, a pair of pins mounted for endwise movement in a direction approximately parallel to said axis against a face of said member, and also for a limited lateral rocking movement, said member having in the face engaged by said pins a groove eccentric to said axis of rotation, and in which abutting ends of said pins engage, whereby during rotation of said member through said element, said pins will be rocked laterally, and upon movement of said member in a direc-. tion parallel to said axis said pins will be moved endwise, a bridge connecting the other ends of said pins, spring means urging said bridge in a direction to force said pins endwise against said member and oppose movement of said member by said centrifugal means, a contact carried by said bridge for movement therewith, a second con tact into engagement with which the first contact moves as said bridge is moved by said spring, said contacts having abutting faces which extend in directions approximately crosswise of said axis of rotation, whereby the lateral movement of said bridge caused by said pins running in said eccentric groove, during all rotation of said member will produce a wiping action between said contacts, and movement of said member by said centrifugal means against the action of said spring will cause a separation of said contacts.

7. A centrifugal circuit breaker comprising a rotating element, a support, a member rotating with said element and having a face approximately normal to the axis of rotation of said element and adjacent said support, said face having a cam surface eccentric to said axis, pin means mounted on said support for endwise sliding movement in a direction against said face and engaging with said cam surface, said pin means being also laterally rockable in said mounting in all of its sliding movements, spring actuated means bearing against said pin means and urging the latter endwise against said rotating member, and movable laterally by said pin means when the latter is rocked by said cam surface, centrifugal means rotating with said element and forcing said member endwise against the action of said spring actuated means and said pin means whenever the speed of rotation of said element exceeds a predetermined speed determined by the pressure of said spring actuated means and said pin means on said member, a relatively stationary contact, and a second contact carried by said spring actuated means and shiftable therewith into engagement with said relatively stationary contact during movement of said spring actuated means in a direction opposite to that caused by said centrifugal means, the movement of said member by said centrifugal means acting through said pin means to shift said spring actuated means in a direction to separate said contacts, the rotation of said member acting through said pin means and said spring actuated means to produce a Wiping action of said contacts upon one another.

8. A centrifugally operated circuit breaker comprising a rotating element, a member rotating with said element and also movable concomitantly in a direction parallel to its axis of rotation, a support disposed adjacent said member, a pair of pins abutting against a face of said member, said support having rib like bearings for said pins which guide the pins endwise toward and from said member and in which the pins may rock laterally to a limited extent, a bridge member connecting and bearing against the other ends of said pins, a spring bearing against said bridge to produce endwise pressure on said pins and force them against said member, centrifugal means rotating with said element and operable on said member, whenever the speed of rotation of said element exceeds a predetermined speed, to shift said member in a direction parallel to said axis and force the pins and bridge in the same direction againstthe action of said spring, a contact carried by said bridge, a second contact disposed in the path of movement of and engaged by said bridge contact when the bridge is moved under the action of said spring, and from which the bridge contact is separated upon movement of said member under the action of said centrifugal means, said contacts having abutting faces disposed in planes approximately normal to said axis of rotation whereby the lateral movement of said bridge by the rocking of said pins during the rotation of said member will produce a wiping action between said abutting faces to keep them clean.

9. A centrifugally operated circuit breaker comprising a rotating member, a shell connected to one face of said member and rotating therewith, and having an annular chamber opening away from said member, and concentric with the axis of rotation of said member, a plurality of weights disposed in said chamber at intervals around said axis and fulcrumed at the inner endof the chamber for'outward and approximately radial swinging movement of the ends of the weights adjacent the open end of the chamber, a disk disposed in the open end of said chamber and cammed in a direction approximately par allel to said axis by the swinging ends of said weights, a pair of pins abutting against said disk and opposing movement thereof by said weights,

'a bridge connecting said pins, a spring acting on said bridge and through the pins against said disk to oppose movement thereof by said weights, a contact carried by said bridge and movable therewith, a second contact into engagement with which said first contact is moved when said bridge is operated by said spring in opposition to said centrifugal means, and from which it separates when said bridge is operated by said disk and centrifugal means against the action of said spring, said contacts having abutting faces which extend in a direction crosswise of the direction of movement of said first contact into and out of engagement with the second contact, means mounting said pins for endwise movement and also a limited lateral rocking movement, and said disk having a cam surface with which said pins engage and by which the pins are rocked laterally during all rotation of said disk, whereby said bridge will be given a lateral movement during all rotation of said member and disk, and thus produce a wiping movement of the faces of said contacts to keep them clean.

10. A centrifugally operated circuit breaker comprising a support, a pair of pins disposed approximately parallel to one another and mounted by said support for endwise sliding movement, a bridge plate connecting one pair of corresponding ends of said pins and operable on the pins to shift them endwise in one direction, a conical compression-spring bearing against the central zone of said bridge between said pins and having coils of decreasing diameter pro grossing away from said bridge, means engageable with the end of said spring of smaller diameter for preventing lateral movement thereof and pressing it toward said bridge, a contact carried by said bridge, a second contact into engagement with which the first contact is carried upon movement of said bridge in one direction under the action of said spring and from which it is separated by movement of the bridge in the opposite direction, a rotating element, a member rotating with said element and against which the other ends of said pins engage, and centrifugal means rotating with said element and operable upon said member to shift it against said pins, and through the pins produce movement of said bridge plate against the action of said spring and separate said contacts, whenever the speed of rotation of said element exceeds a predetermined speed.

11. A centrifugally operated circuit breaker comprising a support, a pair of pins disposed approximately parallel to one another and mounted by said support for endwise sliding movement and limited lateral rocking movement, a bridge plate connecting one pair of corresponding ends of said pins and operable on. the pins to shift them endwise in one direction, a conical compression spring bearing against the central zone of said bridge between said pins and having coils of decreasing diameter progressing away from said bridge, means engageable with the end of said spring of smaller diameter for preventing lateral movement thereof and pressing it toward said bridge, a contact carried by said bridge, a second contact into engagement with which the first contact is carried upon movement of said bridge in one direction under the action of said spring and from which it is separated by movement of the bridge in the opposite direction, a rotating element, a member rotating with said element and against which the other ends of said pins engage and centrifugal means rotatiii ing with said element and operable upon said member to shift it against said pins, and through the pins produce movement of said bridge plate against the action of said spring and separate said contacts, whenever the speed of rotation of said element exceeds a predetermined speed, said member having a cam surface operable on the abutting ends of the pins and rocking them laterally during the rotation of said member and thereby producing lateral movement of said bridge during all rotation of said element, whereby a wiping action will be produced between the faces of said contacts when said contacts are in engagement with one another.

12. A centrifugally operated circuit breaker comprising a support, a pair of pins disposed approximately parallel to one another and mounted by said support for endwise sliding movement and limited lateral rocking movement, a bridge plate connecting one pair of correspond ing ends of said pins and operable on the pins to shift them endwise in one direction, a conical compression spring bearing against the central zone of said bridge between said pins and having coils of decreasing diameter progressing away from said bridge, means engageable with the end of said spring of smaller diameter for preventing lateral movement thereof and pressing it toward said bridge, a contact carried by said bridge, a second contact into engagement with which the first contact is carried upon movement of said bridge in one direction under the action of said spring and from which it is separated by movement of the bridge in the opposite direction, a rotating element, a member rotating with said element and against which the other ends of said pins engage, and by which the pins are rocked laterally as well as moved endwise, during rotation of said element, and centrifugal means rotating with said element and operable upon said member to shift it against said pins, and through the pins produce movement of said bridge plate against the action of said spring and separate said contacts, whenever the speed of rotation of said element exceeds a predetermined speed, the lateral rocking of the pins by said member causing a lateral movement of said bridge and of a wiping relative movement of said contacts on their abutting faces whenever they are in contact.

13. In a centrifugally operated circuit breaker, the combination of a rotating member, a shell connected to and rotating with said member and having an annular chamber concentric with the axis of rotation of said member, a plurality of weights disposed in said chamber at intervals around said axis, each weight having a heel at one end upon which it rocks to swing its other end outwardly from said axis by centrifugal force, the heel ends of said weights being arranged at the same end of the chamber, each weight having at the heel end thereof a slot extending in a direction endwise of the weight, and said shell having a tongue projecting into said slot at that end of the chamber for guiding the weights in a radial direction when swinging about said heels and preventing displacement of the weights in a direction circumferentially around the chamber, a pair of contacts, and means operated by the free ends of the weights as they swing outwardly and radially under the action of centrifugal force for operating said contacts.

14. A governor comprising a pair of contacts, a plate supporting one of said contacts on a face thereof, means engaging with said plate for guiding it in a direction to carry said one contact into and out of engagement with the other contact, a conical coiled compression spring bearing at its base fiat against said plate means bearing on the vertex of said spring to urge it towards said plate, and rotating centrifugal means for operating said plate against the action of said spring to separate said contacts whenever the speed of said means exceeds a predetermined selected speed.

15. A governor conprising a pair of contacts, a plate supporting one of said contacts on a face thereof, means engaging with said plate for guiding it in a direction to carry said one contact into and out of engagement with the other contact, a conical coiled compressionspring bearing at its base against said plate, means bearing on the vertex of said spring to urge it towards said plate, rotating centrifugal means for operating said plate against the action of said spring to separate said contacts whenever the speed of said means exceeds a predetermined selected speed, and means for also shifting said plate sidewise during rotation of said contrifugal means to produce a wiping movement between the abutting faces of said contacts 16. A governor for use in controlling an electric circuit through a pair of contacts and comprising a rotating element,a pair of contacts abutting face to face, means responsive to the speed of rotation of said element for separating said contacts whenever the said speed exceeds a selected, predetermined speed, and means responsive to the rotation of said element for also producing a sidewise wiping movement between the abutting faces of said contacts.

17. In a centrifugally operated circuit breaker,

the combination of a rotating member, a shell connected to and rotating with said member and having an annular chamber concentric with the axis of rotation of said member, a plurality of weights disposed in said chamber at intevals around said axis, each weight having a heel at one end upon which it rocks to swing its other end outwardly from said axis by centrifugal force, the heel ends of said weights being arranged at the same end of the chamber, each weight having at the heel end thereof a slot extending in a direction endwise of the Weight, and said shell having a tongue projecting into said slot at that end of the chamber for guiding the weights in a radial direction when swinging about said heels and preventing displacement of the weights in a direction circumferentially around the chamber, a split circular retaining spring releasably interlocked with said shell in front of said heels of said weights at the outer faces of the weights, for confining the Weights against displacement in said chamber in a direction along said axis of rotation, a pair of contacts, and means operated by the free ends of the weights as they swing outwardly and radially under the action of centrifugal force for operating said contacts.-

18. In a centrifugally operated circuit breaker, the combination of a rotating member, a shell connected to and rotating with said member and having an annular chamber concentric with the axis of rotation of said member, a plurality of weights disposed in said chamber at intervals around said axis, each weight having a heel at one end upon which it rocks to swing its other end outwardly from said axis by centrifugal force, the heel ends of said weights being arranged at the same end of the chamber, means for confining said weights against displacement in a direction circumferentially around said axis, a split circular retaining spring releasably interlocked 75 with said shell in front of said heels of said weights at the outer faces of the weights, for confining the Weights against displacement in said chamber in a direction along said axis of rotation, a pair of contacts, and means operated by the free ends of the weights as they swing outwardly and radially under the action of centrifugal force for operating said contacts.

19. In a centrifugally operated circuit breaker, the combination of a rotating member, a shell connected to and rotating with said member and having an annular chamber concentric with the axis of rotation of said member, a plurality of weights disposed in said chamber at intervals around said axis, each weight having a heel at one end upon which it rocks to swing its other end outwardly from said axis by centrifugal force, the heel ends of said Weights being arranged at the same end of the chamber, means for confining said weights against displacement in a direction circumferentially around said axis, means disposed in front of and cooperating with all of said heels for confining said weights against displacement in said chamber in a direction along said axis, a pair of contacts, and means operated by the free ends of the weights as they swing outwardly and radially under the action of centrifugal force for operating said contacts.

HARRY L. LAMBERT, 

